Punch to Allentown carjacker draws blood, leading to DNA tests and arrest

Punch to Allentown carjacker draws blood, leading to DNA tests and arrest

A tow truck driver punched an armed carjacker in the face last year as he tried to fight off a robbery attempt on Airport Road in Allentown, police said.

The carjacker made off with the tow truck driver's vehicle and $1,000, but police got the carjacker's blood, leading to DNA tests and charges Thursday.

Ernesto L. Liciaga, 42, was charged with the July 1 robbery behind a gas station at 1227 Airport Road, police said. Liciaga was in Clinton County Jail on unrelated matters.

According to a criminal complaint:

Allentown police were dispatched at 4:48 p.m. July 1 to Jerome and East Livingston streets on a report of a carjacking. Police spoke to a tow truck driver who said was talking to a friend behind a gas station on Airport Road when a man approached him with a gun, demanding "give me all your money."

The tow truck driver punched the man in the face, causing him to drop the weapon. The robber picked up the gun, put it in his pocket and then pulled a knife.

The robber drove off in the tow truck. The tow truck driver told his friend to chase after the robber.

The tow truck driver found his truck dumped at the intersection of Jerome and East Livingston streets. The carjacker was gone and so was the money the driver had made scrapping cars.

Allentown police found fresh blood on the driver's door and steering wheel. Police also found blood on a cigarette wrapper. All the items were taken to the state police lab for testing and returned a positive identification for Liciaga.

The tow truck driver also identified Liciaga as the man who robbed him.

Liciaga was charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, theft, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats and unauthorized use of an automobile. He was arraigned by District Judge Michael D'Amore and sent to Lehigh County Jail under $100,000 bail.